sogdian rock

Sogdian Rock or Rock of Ariamazes a fortress in Sogdiana was captured by the forces of Alexander the Great in 328 or 327 BC. Oxyartes of Bactria had sent his wife and daughters, one of whom was Roxane, to take refuge in the fortress because it was thought to be impregnable and it was provisioned for a long siege. When Alexander asked the defenders to surrender they refused telling him that he would need "men with wings" to capture it. Alexander asked for volunteers whom he would reward if they could climb the cliffs under the fortress. There were some 300 men who in previous sieges had had experience in rock-climbing. Using tent-pegs and strong flaxen lines they climbed the cliff face at night losing about 30 during the ascent. In accordance with Alexander's orders, they signalled their success to the troops below by waving bits of linen, and Alexander sent a herald to shout the news to the enemy's advanced posts that they might now surrender without further delay, as the "men with wings" were in possession of the summit. The defenders were so surprised and demoralised by this that they surrendered. Alexander fell in love with Roxane on sight and eventually married her. The story of the siege is told by the Roman historian Arrian of Nicomedia, in Anabasis (section 4.18.4-19.6).

Inspiration

Sogdian Rock along with the Battle of Thermopylae and similar actions is used in military academies around the world to show how a small group of well trained and led soldiers can have an impact out of all proportion to their numbers.

External links

* Anabasis (section 4.18.4-19.6) translated into English by Aubrey de Slincourt

<< Previous

Word Browser

Next >>

dyess air force base
muriel
oshika, miyagi
oshika district, miyagi
shizugawa, miyagi
steve perrin
siryn
motoyoshi district, miyagi
red shi'ism vs. black shi'ism
karakuwa, miyagi
utatsu, miyagi

motoyoshi, miyagi
frsk sovjetisk venskabsforening
asafa powell
ticket tracking
bajji
john poynder dickson, 1st baron islington
list of candidates for u.s. representative from ohio, h m
list of toronto maple leafs captains
valet parking
bugtracker
force play

list of vancouver canucks captains
pump action
mythological kings of sweden
framingham mall
conchoid of de sluze
scylding
info wars
copplia
the red 1 may group (faroe)
yes men
polonia international airport

stig olai kapskarmo
clean government party (former)
aretas akers douglas, 1st viscount chilston
philadelphia big 5
landau's constants
peter emslie
national taxpayers union
faroese socialists
pik botha
clean government political assembly
automatix